Barry, Peg, Koos, and Michael, I have just checked out the whole site and think you've done a great job and can only imagine how hard the work must have been to put it all together!!!! A true thank you. The only thing I am not sure of is whether OST is about self organizing systems and so I include my comments below to invite members of the list to a discussion about this. Maybe I am just about to demonstrate my lack of grasping self organizing systems......
I wish to use this site to start a discussion about self organizing systems because OST is introduced on the site as being about self organizing systems. When I was introduced to OST, it was about Spirit being given space and time to be manifest in organizations (which I don't think is the same as self organizing systems although I am happy to be challenged on this one if I am on the wrong track). I want to come out clearly with my position at the beginning---I do not believe that at this point in our human evolution that we have self organizing systems (at least in my understanding of what a self organizing system means) and I do not believe that Open Space Technology is about self organizing systems. Blasphemy on this list serve, possibly! Sometimes just because we say something is so, doesn't make it so. Now, our new website says we are about self organizing systems. Do we really know what they are? Are we fooling ourselves? Is it true? When I go through the website itself, I see that although it would like to be---it is not a self organizing system. There are "givens" that create the context for the site and it looks like it has been set up to be self organizing within that context, within those "givens". The "givens" as I see them include the purpose of the site, the headings that have been created for us to access and support with our information if we are moved to do so, the fact that "initiators" of information posted are noted, the fact that there is a webmaster and moderators, and so on. Even the choice of words like "open space practitioner"---does this mean we are still practicing????? And the choice of inviting local groups of practitioners to identify themselves regarding new Open Space Institutes (and of course, I've raised before that Institutes like us in Canada consider ourselves quite legitimate---whatever that may be---even if we are not "formally chartered"----the only formally chartered is in the US I believe). Where do the "givens" or "non-negotiables" stop and where are we creating here from "assumptions" and have we checked the assumptions or discussed them? Anyhow, the main point I am trying to make is to raise for discussion the question of self organizing systems and the role of OST in self organizing systems. Is the website really an example of a self organizing system? Is OST really about self organizing systems????? In my experience---the answer is NO. Whenever I have used OST for a meeting, an event, the transformation of an existing organization to operate as an Open Space Organization, or the emergence of a new organization as an Open Space Organization, the totally human element inclusive of spirit, emotions, mental processes, and body come into play. And although people are in the "now" they also bring the learnings from the past and the dreams of the future---and someone or someones always work from "givens" to create a context or field for operating in, and there are always assumptions made from which operating decisions come. It seems to be the human way. I could have posted this set of queries as a discussion on the site. I chose to post them on the list which I feel safer within to be me. Is it our assumption that the list will continue, or is it the assumption that the community here will instead communicate on the site? Birgitt Birgitt Bolton of Dalar Associates www.openspacetechnology.com 55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario, Canada L9G 2E8 phone: 905-648-5775 fax: 905-648-2262 -----Original Message----- From: Peg Holman, Open Space Institute [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, August 19, 1999 1:01 AM To: Open Space Institute Subject: Visit the new World-wide Open Space web site To friends of Open Space everywhere, Come visit our new home in cyberspace: http://www.openspaceworld.org It is our invitation to you to participate in the what gives the Open Space Institutes meaning: holding space for Open Space. Whether for mutual support and connection, mentoring or being mentored, learning or contributing to OS research, or simply a place to send your friends, the web site is there for you. To that end, this site is as open to participation as we could make it. For example, take a look at stories and resources provided by OS practitioners. Do you have a story or OS tool you'd like to share? You can post it yourself. Or do you want to learn about OS trainings or events? They're not only listed, but if you are an OSI member, you can post them yourself. Want to connect with an OS practitioner near you or who has expertise in a particular area? Check out the directory of friends and practitioners. And while you're there, add yourself to the list. Need some resources on Open Space -- the User's Guide or the U S WEST video? What's available for purchase is described online. And if you're a member with a related resource to sell, post it! And of course, what Open Space is complete without an online marketplace? Got something about OS to discuss, here's a place to do it. A couple seeds have been planted to start the conversation, but it won't grow without you. This site is here in service to the Open Space community. It helps to hold the space for the OS community around the world, so come join us and send your friends. And please let us know what you think by contacting us at [email protected] or [email protected] Yours, in Open Space, Michael Herman, Peggy Holman, Barry Owen, and Koos de Heer creators of the World-wide Open Space web site Warmest regards, Birgitt Birgitt Bolton of Dalar Associates www.openspacetechnology.com 55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario, Canada L9G 2E8 phone: 905-648-5775 fax: 905-648-2262 -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Harrison Owen Sent: Thursday, August 19, 1999 7:02 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Visit the new World-wide Open Space web site At 09:59 PM 8/18/1999 -0700, you wrote: >To friends of Open Space everywhere, > >Come visit our new home in cyberspace: http://www.openspaceworld.org It is >our invitation to you to participate in the what gives the Open Space >Institutes meaning: holding space for Open Space. Whether for mutual >support and connection, mentoring or being mentored, learning or >contributing to OS research, or simply a place to send your friends, the web >site is there for you. ****************************************** Congratualtions and thank yous to Peg, Barry, Michael and Koos. Terrific job! Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 USA Summer address: 189 Beaucaire Ave. RR Box 4248 Camden, ME 04843 Website www.tmn.com/~owen Phone 301-469-9269 Fax 301-983-9314 Maine Phone 207-763-3261
